Composite Materials Lightest

ownliver · 09-06-2010, 04:12 PM

For same volume, that is for exact same thickness x length x width, which material is lightest? carbon fiber, fiberglass, urethene or plastic?

Yes, everyone knows that carbon fiber is the strongest for same volume or its the lightest for same strength... compared to rest of the materials. But I am asking which one is the lightest for same volume and I am sure its not the carbon fiber.

CJMR2T · 09-06-2010, 04:31 PM

They are all basically plastics are roughly all the same for a given volume.

CF and E-glass are FRP's (fiber reinforced plastics).

Straight plastic is such as ABS Plastics tend to be a tad lighter but not by much and urethane's tend to be a tad bit heavier but again, not by much...

The differences is the strength to weight ratios and the toughness of the final product.

As you know, CF and CK bother offer tremendous strength over a straight plastic or urethane so parts can be made in much thinner cross section thus substantial lighter for the same given (or required) strength.

09-06-2010, 04:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
ownliver No Skills Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 5 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Lightest For same volume, that is for exact same thickness x length x width, which material is lightest? carbon fiber, fiberglass, urethene or plastic? Yes, everyone knows that carbon fiber is the strongest for same volume or its the lightest for same strength... compared to rest of the materials. But I am asking which one is the lightest for same volume and I am sure its not the carbon fiber.

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09-06-2010, 04:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
CJMR2T Fabricator Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 3,688 Thanks: 3 Thanked 356 Times in 337 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	They are all basically plastics are roughly all the same for a given volume. CF and E-glass are FRP's (fiber reinforced plastics). Straight plastic is such as ABS Plastics tend to be a tad lighter but not by much and urethane's tend to be a tad bit heavier but again, not by much... The differences is the strength to weight ratios and the toughness of the final product. As you know, CF and CK bother offer tremendous strength over a straight plastic or urethane so parts can be made in much thinner cross section thus substantial lighter for the same given (or required) strength.